ENNISKILLEN will place host to the cream of Ireland's pipe band and drum majors when the Fermanagh Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships rolls into town later this month.

The long-established event, presented by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Co Fermanagh Section, will take place on Saturday, May 25 at the Broadmeadow, Lakeland Forum.

The section plans were announced at a launch evening on Monday in the Westville Hotel, Enniskillen.

The championships runs throughout the afternoon, from 12 noon until early evening, and concludes with a March past of all the bands competing.

The Chieftain of the event will be Mr Kenny Ferguson former world champion Pipe Major of Killadeas Pipe Band and his wife Mrs Lorraine Ferguson will present the prizes at conclusion of the Championships.

Section President, Mrs Betty Booth, said she is "delighted" that the Championships have returned to Enniskillen after the Covid-19 break, while also praising the efforts of the small but energetic committee team.

The Fermanagh section express its gratitude to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and all other sponsors of the Championships.

The event is free to attend and the skill of the pipe and the beat of drum and flourish of the drum major will be heard and seen to the highest standard.

The local pipe band representing Fermanagh at the Championships will be the Irvine Memorial Pipe Band under the direction of Pipe Major Neil Strong and Drum sergeant Nicky Armstrong. The Irvine Memorial Pipe Band will compete in the Grade 4A section.

The section would like to wish both the Irvine Memorial Pipe band and Derryclavin Pipe Band under direction of Pipe Major Gordon McKeown best of wishes at the UK Championships which takes place in Bangor Co Down on 18th May 2024.

Local man David Brownlee will be one of the Drum Major Adjudicators on duty at the UK Championships.